Sulfated zirconia supported in mesoporous materials Original Research Article

SO42−/ZrO2 (SZ) supported on ordered mesoporous hexagonal materials were prepared by dispersion of ZrOCl2·8H2O into the mesopores, followed by the hydrolysis and sulfation. These materials have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption isotherms, infrared spectroscopy, and catalytic cracking of n-hexane, cumene and 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene. The results show that SZ was successfully loaded into the inner pores of MCM-41; the as-synthesized catalyst showed favorable catalytic properties. The factors in the preparative process that affected the final activity were discussed.